---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even in relativity theory even though you…"
description: "\"Even in relativity theory even though you can analyze space - time in terms of this four-dimensional geometrical structure one of the dimensions is dif..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg"
---

#  Even in relativity theory even though you can analyze…

![“Even in relativity theory even though you can analyze space - time in terms of this four-dimensional geometrical structure one of the dimensions is different. And this shows up in the equations. It has a different sign - rather than plus it shows up as a negative minus. So even in relativity…” quote by William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg)

> “Even in relativity theory even though you can analyze space - time in terms of this four-dimensional geometrical structure one of the dimensions is different. And this shows up in the equations. It has a different sign - rather than plus it shows up as a negative minus. So even in relativity theory time is distinct from space in terms of the way in which these dimensions manifest themselves in the equations.”

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Time is treated as a dimension with opposite sign, distinguishing it mathematically from spatial dimensions in relativity.

**In simple terms:** Time has a negative sign unlike space.

Key Takeaway

Recognize time’s unique role in physics.

Themes

physics philosophy relativity mathematics

Mood

analytical inquisitive

Type

scientific philosophical

When to use this quote

- teaching physics
- explaining relativity
- philosophical discourse

Key Concepts

spacetime metric signature causality

Questions to Reflect On

- How does the sign difference affect causality?
- Can we ever fully reconcile time’s physics with human perception?

A Different Perspective

Physical equations alone cannot capture subjective experience of time.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Dimensional Geometrical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dimensional-geometrical-3785164/) [Equations Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equations-different-3785162/) [Manifest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifest/) [Minus Relativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minus-relativity-3785163/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Relativity Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relativity-theory-672593/) [Space time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space-time/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“A space that is empty in the sense that it doesn't contain masses is nothing but a special case of the above. Looking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-genz/a-space-that-is-empty-in-the-sense-that-it-doesn-t-contain-masses-is/)

[Henning Genz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-genz/)

> [I heard that in relativity theory, space and time are the same thing. Einstein discovered this when he kept showing up three miles late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-heard-that-in-relativity-theory-space-and-time-are-the-same-thing/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [What differentiates time from space is that time does have a direction. In that sense it is different from space. I think that's certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/what-differentiates-time-from-space-is-that-time-does-have-a/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [The Relativity theory, the copernican upheaval, or any great scientific convulsion, leaves a new landscape. There is a period of stunned dreariness; then people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyndham-lewis/the-relativity-theory-the-copernican-upheaval-or-any-great-scientific/)

[Wyndham Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyndham-lewis/)

> [It is probably safe to say that all the changes of factual knowledge which have led to the relativity theory, resulting in a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talcott-parsons/it-is-probably-safe-to-say-that-all-the-changes-of-factual-knowledge/)

[Talcott Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talcott-parsons/)

> [I believe that I have really found the relationship between gravitation and electricity, assuming that the Miller experiments are based on a fundamental error.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-believe-that-i-have-really-found-the-relationship-between/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [“When we encounter unexpected obstacles in finding out something which we wish to know, there are two possible courses to take. It may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-stanley-eddington/when-we-encounter-unexpected-obstacles-in-finding-out-something-which/)

[Arthur Stanley Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-stanley-eddington/)

> [“If Relativity Theory kills our deepest convictions, why not start by finding out why we believed in them for millennia?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-alba-juez/if-relativity-theory-kills-our-deepest-convictions-why-not-start-by/)

[Felix Alba-Juez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-alba-juez/)

> [“As we already pointed out, 'special' means 'restricted to Inertial Frames of Reference', i.e. this theory cannot describe the Universe from an arbitrary reference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-alba-juez/as-we-already-pointed-out-special-means-restricted-to-inertial-frames/)

[Felix Alba-Juez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-alba-juez/)

> [Now to the term 'relativity theory.' I admit that it is unfortunate, and has given occasion to philosophical misunderstandings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/now-to-the-term-relativity-theory-i-admit-that-it-is-unfortunate-and/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [In my relativity theory I set up a clock at every point in space, but in reality I find it difficult to provide even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/in-my-relativity-theory-i-set-up-a-clock-at-every-point-in-space-but/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [“Relatives come to your house and make fun of you. Then you go as a relative to their house and make fun of them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nitya-prakash/relatives-come-to-your-house-and-make-fun-of-you-then-you-go-as-a/)

[Nitya Prakash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nitya-prakash/)

> [“I believe that the Big-Bang Theory and the Evolution Theory, as well as Einstein’s Special Relativity Theory which does not allow for the existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-takaaki-musha/i-believe-that-the-big-bang-theory-and-the-evolution-theory-as-well/)

[Dr. Takaaki Musha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-takaaki-musha/)

> [ No one must think that Newton’s great creation can be overthrown in any real sense by this \[Theory of Relativity\] or by any other… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/no-one-must-think-that-newton-s-great-creation-can-be-overthrown-in/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [“Indoctrination,” Michael Simpson replied. “We still base our science on the Theory of Relativity. Not because it is one hundred percent correct, but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-hamre/indoctrination-michael-simpson-replied-we-still-base-our-science-on/)

[Erik Hamre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-hamre/)

## More by William Lane Craig

> [Part of the broader task of Christian scholarship is to help create and sustain a cultural milieu in which the gospel can be heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/part-of-the-broader-task-of-christian-scholarship-is-to-help-create/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [The point is this: If God does not exist, then life is objectively meaningless; but man cannot live consistently and happily knowing that life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/the-point-is-this-if-god-does-not-exist-then-life-is-objectively/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [“By setting such strong, harsh dichotomies God taught Israel that any assimilation to pagan idolatry is intolerable. It was His way of preserving Israel’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/by-setting-such-strong-harsh-dichotomies-god-taught-israel-that-any/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [If you're sincerely seeking God, God will make His existence evident to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/if-you-re-sincerely-seeking-god-god-will-make-his-existence-evident/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [Scepticism, ironically, draws its life's blood from claims to have a good deal of knowledge. For example, your friends claim to know, 'Since every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/scepticism-ironically-draws-its-life-s-blood-from-claims-to-have-a/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [“...if there's a supernatural agent that is working in the natural world, then the idealized conditions described by the law are no longer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/if-there-s-a-supernatural-agent-that-is-working-in-the-natural-world/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [If true love came at a price, the price would be all worth while if i was spending it on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/if-true-love-came-at-a-price-the-price-would-be-all-worth-while-if-i/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [“There are various virtues of what counts as a best explanation, and I imagine familiarity is one of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/there-are-various-virtues-of-what-counts-as-a-best-explanation-and-i/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [People think of time as a continuum composed of points which is stretched out at a line, and even if you add a direction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/people-think-of-time-as-a-continuum-composed-of-points-which-is/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [“...if God does not exist and there is no immortality, then all the evil acts of men go unpunished and all the sacrifices of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/if-god-does-not-exist-and-there-is-no-immortality-then-all-the-evil/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [“So how do you find out what God thinks? The Christian says, you look in the Bible. And the Bible tells us that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/so-how-do-you-find-out-what-god-thinks-the-christian-says-you-look-in/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [So whom does God wrong in commanding the destruction of the Canaanites? Not the Canaanite adults, for they were corrupt and deserving of judgment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/so-whom-does-god-wrong-in-commanding-the-destruction-of-the/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [ Richard \[Carrier\] takes the extremist position that Jesus of Nazareth never even existed, that there was no such person in history. This is a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/richard-carrier-takes-the-extremist-position-that-jesus-of-nazareth/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [ I am an Orangeman first and a politician and member of this parliament \[Stormont\] afterwards. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/i-am-an-orangeman-first-and-a-politician-and-member-of-this/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

> [“In addition to these physical problems, sexually transmitted diseases are rampant among the homosexual population. 75% of homosexual men carry one or more sexually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/in-addition-to-these-physical-problems-sexually-transmitted-diseases/)

[William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

[Explore all 78 William Lane Craig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/)

## More Different quotes

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [I've seen a lot of people come out of Carol City, but I had this distinct vision for Carol City, just me coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-curry/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-people-come-out-of-carol-city-but-i-had-this/)

[Denzel Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-curry/)

> [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/)

[Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/)

> [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/)

[Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/)

> [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/)

[David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/)

> [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/)

[Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/)

> [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/)

[Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/)

> [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/)

[Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/)

[Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/)

> [Suffering did different things to different people...Some souls became tempered, unshakable in their faith, while others became twisted and mis-shapen, throwing off all connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ragen/suffering-did-different-things-to-different-people-some-souls-became/)

[Naomi Ragen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ragen/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [I always aspired to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/i-always-aspired-to-do-something-different/)

[Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/)

> [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/)

[Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/)

> [My favorite job is the next one. Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/)

[Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/)

[Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Even in relativity theory even though you can analyze space - time in terms of this four-dimensional geometrical structure one of the dimensions is different. And this shows up in the equations. It has a different sign - rather than plus it shows up as a negative minus. So even in relativity theory time is distinct from space in terms of the way in which these dimensions manifest themselves in the equations.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Lane Craig"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-you-can-analyze-space-time-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Different"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-you-can-analyze-space-time-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/889/william-lane-craig-8716_different_even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-yo_1227795.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Even in relativity theory even though you can analyze space - time in terms of this four-dimensional…” — William Lane Craig",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "William Lane Craig",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Even in relativity theory even though...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-you-can-analyze-space-time-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/even-in-relativity-theory-even-though-you-can-analyze-space-time-in/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
